The Haflinger

I am excited to introduce you to a breed of horse like no other. You are about to meet a horse that seems to come right out of a fairytale. This is fitting as the haflingers’ history is said to date back to medieval times.
While there are tales of an Oriental race horse in the Tyrolean Mountains of Austria dating back to medieval times and pictures depicting a small chestnut horse dating back to the early 1800’s the first documentation of the modern day haflinger was in 1874. 249 Folie is known as the original haflinger, essentially being an Arab and mountain horse cross. (All haflingers today must trace their ancestry to Folie through one of seven stallion lines.)

Life in Tyrol, Austria necessitated a versatile horse. Traversing steep, narrow mountain trails required a trust-worthy, surefooted animal. Families depended on this breed for survival, especially during long, bitter winters. They built their houses over the stalls so the rising body heat of the horses would heat their homes. The family horse served as a pet, companion, transportation and farm equipment, while being manageable by every member of the household.

Haflingers have only been in the United States since the 1950’s. While they exist in decent numbers in the eastern states, they have a growing presence in the west as people continue to fall in love with a truly distinct breed.

Appearance –

Chestnut in color, with varieties from light to dark, accented by an almost white mane and tail, haflingers command a second look. They usually have a white star, stripe, or snip on their faces.

Personality –

Irresistable! Haflingers love people. They are willing, dependable and versatile. I can best describe them as the “yellow lab” of the equine world. While most horses run for the hills when they see a halter and lead rope, they will run towards you, eager for attention. Stallions and young horses can be handled by women and children. The haflinger is a great match for both the beginner as well as the seasoned rider.

Durability –

Haflingers are easy keepers that acclimate quickly. In the winter they grow a thick coat that protects them from the cold. With a heretige rooted in the Alps of Austria, they seem to enjoy working and playing even in cold, snowy, winter conditions.

Versatility –

Perhaps one of the most wonderful things about the haflinger is their ability to adapt to the needs of their owner. Whether your passion is dressage, jumping, western, endurance, trail riding or driving, the haflinger has what it takes. Because of their personalities, they are a wonderful choice for therapeutic riding programs.

Size and Age –

The modern haflinger is between 55 and 60 inches. They were bred to be shorter and stockier during World War II to fill the armies need for a packhorse. Since then, height and refinement has been returned to most people’s breeding programs. Haflingers with proper care live into their late twenties and beyond. So, go ahead, let the whole family get attached!

Classification

Classification is not a competition. The horse is not scored against any other horse, only scored on it's own qualities. Three judges are present, including one from Austria. They are not allow to know the name of the horse or anything about the bloodlines. There are two parts to classification. One is freestyle. The horse is let loose in an arena and encouraged to trot and canter, so as to show the judges the movement of the horse. Two is walking a triangle, first at a walk, then a trot. The order of which the two events occur is the decision of the owner of the horse.

The judges then concur and have to agree on a score. The total points awarded are determined by ten different categories. Type, Head, Neck, Forehand, Midsection, Hind Quarters, Front Legs, Hind Legs, Correctness of Movement, and Overall Movement. A score of 1 thru 10 is given on each category. Seven is average. The total score is tallied and comprises a number that sticks with the horse it's whole life. The scores mean the following:

81+

Excellent

Gold

75-80

Very Good

Silver

71-74

Good

Purple

69-70

Sufficient

White

Horses with a score of less than 69 are not recommended for breeding.

In recent years in an effort to further refine the haflingers being bred in the US, classification has gotten much tougher. You can be assured if there is a Silver or Gold awarded, that it is deserved.